Sock with permanent color label

ABSTRACT

A sock is adapted to include a ¼ inch high or larger color name and/or color code to make it easier for people to match sock colors after laundering or select sock color while dressing. The color name and/or color code is formed either from the material from which the sock is fabricated, or formed from another material. The color name and/or color code is either woven from the material or interwoven with it, or otherwise secured to the sock by printing, bonding or adhering the other material to the material of the sock. The color name and/or color code is of contrasting color to the sock and located at either the toe, sole, heel or top of the sock.

[0001] The title of the invention is “Sock with permanent color label” and the inventor is William D. Brevoort, a United States of America citizen residing in Danville, Calif. This invention was granted a provisional Patent per application No. 60/467,761, with a filing date of May 1, 2003, confirmation no. 9388 and filing receipt OC000000010287713.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] U.S. Pat. No. 5,725,725, published Mar. 10, 1998, discloses an automatic sock labeling machine, which mechanizes the sewing-on of labels on the top of the sock, or printing labels on the foot of the sock. The “Sock with permanent color label” invention is a new useful improvement to the sock by adding a large permanent color name by interweaving into the sock during manufacturing or adhering or bonding onto the sock after manufacturing. The process to interweave or apply the color name utilizes existing manufacturing machines and processes. The location of the color name is in the sole, foot, heel or top region of the sock.

[0003] International Patent EP-1241956, published 2002 Sep. 25, discloses a sock with rectangular “open space” label for a parent of child to inscribe letters, numbers and words with a permanent marker to identify and locate children's socks. The “Sock with permanent color label” invention is a new useful improvement to the sock because it is more convenient and time efficient to purchase the sock with the color name included, versus requiring a person to manually inscribe color letters, numbers or words onto the sock after purchase.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

[0004] Not applicable.

REFERENCE OF SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

[0005] Not applicable.

BRIEF BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Consumers wash socks often and find it difficult to match dark colored socks. Consumers also find it difficult to select the desired colored socks while dressing especially difficult-to-differentiate dark socks. Current sock manufacturers and sock retailers identify colors on product packaging but the packaging is removed and discarded when the socks are washed or worn. Current sock manufacturers and sock retailers do not provide a permanent color name, which is easy to see. The result is people wearing mismatched or wrong color socks.

[0007] The EU-1241956 rectangular label write-in process is positioned for children socks and requires people to manually write-on a customized label after purchase. There is a need to include a color name and/or color code on men's and women's socks prior to sale, eliminating the need to manually write a color name and/or code onto a rectangular label on many socks.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] A principal aim of the present invention is to add a {fraction (1/4)} inch high or larger color name and/or color code to the sock, allowing sock users to easily match socks after laundering and easily select colored socks while dressing.

[0009] The permanent color name and/or color number is added to a conventional sock by employing existing interwoven, woven, printed, bonded, or adhering other material labeling processes. The socks are sold to consumers with the permanent color name and/or color code already in place, which allows people to immediately match same-color socks after laundering and select the desired sock color while they dress.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0010] The characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of some preferred but not exclusive embodiments thereof, illustrated in the enclosed drawings and described herein only by way of non-limitative example, wherein:

[0011]FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a sock (1) which has a portion of the sole (2) that is adapted to function as a color name and/or color code label (3). The said label (3) is formed either from the material from which the sock (1) is fabricated, or formed from another material. The said label (3) is either woven from the material or interwoven with it, or otherwise secured to the sock (1) by printing, bonding or adhering the other material to the material of the sock (1). The said color label (3) is of contrasting color to the sock.

[0012]FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a sock (1) which has a portion of the toe (4) that is adapted to function as a color name and/or color code label (3). The said label (3) is formed either from the material from which the sock (1) is fabricated, or formed from another material. The said label (3) is either woven from the material or interwoven with it, or otherwise secured to the sock (1) by printing, bonding or adhering the other material to the material of the sock (1). The said color label (3) is of contrasting color to the sock.

[0013]FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a sock (1) which has a portion of the heel (5) that is adapted to function as a color name and/or color code label (3). The said label (3) is formed either from the material from which the sock (1) is fabricated, or formed from another material. The said label (3) is either woven from the material or interwoven with it, or otherwise secured to the sock (1) by printing, bonding or adhering the other material to the material of the sock (1). The said color label (3) is of contrasting color to the sock.

[0014]FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of a sock (1) which has a portion of the top region of the sock (6) that is adapted to function as a color name and/or color code label (3). The said label (3) is formed either from the material from which the sock (1) is fabricated, or formed from another material. The said label (3) is either woven from the material or interwoven with it, or otherwise secured to the sock (1) by printing, bonding or adhering the other material to the material of the sock (1). The said color label (3) is of contrasting color to the sock.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] This invention relates to hosiery, and in particular relates to socks. People rely on eyesight to match socks after laundering or while dressing, often in dimly lit bedrooms. For many people, dark socks are difficult to differentiate resulting in mismatched sock colors or putting on the wrong colored socks while dressing.

[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 5,725,725 discloses an automatic sock labeling machine, which sews-on labels onto the top or toe of the sock. The “Sock with permanent color label” invention is a new useful improvement to the sock by adding a large permanent color name by interweaving into the sock during manufacturing or adhering or bonding onto the sock after manufacturing. The process to interweave or apply the color name utilizes existing manufacturing machines.

[0017] It is an object of this invention to provide a means of identifying large and easy-to see color labels on articles of hosiery, which is more convenient for the person responsible for matching or selecting sock colors. It is also an object of this invention to interweave the {fraction (1/4)} inch or larger color name during manufacturing, or to adhere/bond after the sock is manufactured.

[0018] International Patent EP-1241956 provides an article of hosiery, specifically a sock, characterized by a portion thereof which is adapted to function as a solid rectangle label, said rectangle label portion being adapted to have indicia inscribed thereon with a permanent felt-tip marker pen. Such a label requires the person buying the socks to manually write-in letters or numbers after the purchase. Even with one pair a day for a work or school week, a person is faced with writing letters onto ten socks for each family member.

[0019] It is an object of this invention to provide a means where the person matching socks does not have to manually write-in letters or numbers, which is more convenient for the person responsible for matching or selecting sock colors.

[0020] Preferably, said color name and/or color code portion is substantially integral with said article of hosiery sock. More preferably, said portion is integral with said article of hosiery sock. Preferably, said portion is formed from the material from which said article of hosiery sock is fabricated.

[0021] Alternatively, said color name and/or color code portion is formed from a second material which is secured to the material from which the said hosiery sock article is fabricated. Said portion may be formed by being woven from said material from which said hosiery sock article is fabricated.

[0022] Alternatively, said color name and/or color code portion is interwoven with said material from which said article of hosiery sock is fabricated. Alternatively, said portion is formed from said second material being secured to said article of hosiery sock by being printed thereon. Preferably, said printed color name and/or color code label is screen-printed.

[0023] Alternatively, said color name and/or color code portion is formed from said second material being secured to said hosiery sock article by being adhered thereto. Alternatively, said portion is formed from said second material being secured to said article by being bonded thereto. Preferably, said article of hosiery sock is fabricated and said portion is formed during a single process.

[0024] Preferably, said color name and/or color code portion is located in the sole, toe, heel, or top area of the sock. Preferably, said color name and/or color code portion will be of contrasting color to the sock, making it easy to see. 

What I claim in my invention is: 1: An article of hosiery sock, characterized by a portion thereof which is permanently labeled with a {fraction (1/4)} inch high or larger color name, and/or color code, of the said article of hosiery sock. 2: An article of hosiery sock according to claim 1, characterized in that the color name and/or color code is a contrasting color to the color of the sock. 3: An article of hosiery sock according to claim 1, characterized in that the color name and/or color code is located in the toe, sole, heel or top of the said hosiery sock. 4: An article of hosiery sock according to claim 1, characterized in that the color name and/or color code is substantially integral with said article of hosiery sock. 5: An article of hosiery sock according to claim 4, characterized in that color name and/or color code is integral with said article of hosiery sock. 6: An article of hosiery sock according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the color name and/or color code is formed from the material from which said article of hosiery sock is fabricated. 7: An article of hosiery sock according to claim 6, characterized in that the color name and/or color code is formed be being woven from said material from which the said article of hosiery sock is fabricated. 8: An article of hosiery sock according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that color name and/or color code is formed from a second material which is secured to the material from which the color name is fabricated. 9: An article of hosiery sock, according to claim 8, characterized in that the color name and/or color code is interwoven with said material from which the said article of hosiery sock is fabricated. 10: An article of hosiery sock according to claim 8, characterized in that the color name and/or color code is formed from said second material being secured to the said article of hosiery sock by being printed thereon. 11: An article of hosiery sock according to claim 8, characterized in that the color name and/or color code is formed from said second material being secured to the said article of hosiery sock by being adhered thereto. 12: An article of hosiery sock according to claim 8, characterized in that the color name and/or color code is formed from a second material being secured to the said article of hosiery sock by being bonded thereto. 13: An article of hosiery sock according to claim 10, characterized in that said printed color name and/or color code is screen-printed. 14: An article of hosiery sock according to any preceding claim, characterized in that said article of hosiery sock is fabricated and the color name and/or color code is formed during a single process. 